News
Public Forum To Address Prescription Drug Epidemic Tuesday Evening
By: Cotrell Loftin
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Residents of southeast Ohio affected by the prescription drug epidemic have an opportunity to learn about resources available to them Tuesday evening.
"In the fact that we consider it an epidemic means it's very bad. It's not just in southeast Ohio; there's been an increase across this nation in unintentional drug overdose related to his opiate pain pill abuse, and certainly there's been an increase in the trafficking of this pain pill," says Tim Sexton of the drug task force. "So it's a national problem from the drug patrol czar in Washington, D.C., to southeast Ohio, and it's being addressed in different ways through law enforcement efforts and legislation. Hopefully, we'll start seeing some improvements in the problem."
A public forum will be led by representatives of the Lawrence County Prosecutor's Office, Lawrence County Drug and Major Crimes Task Force, the Lawrence County Wellness Initiative, The Counseling Center and a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
Various service providers will also be present to pass out information to those in need.
The forum will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Ohio University Southern's Bowman Auditorium at 1804 Liberty Avenue in Ironton.